2017 CCHL DRAFT
REVIEW: Minnesota Norsemen
[SAINT PAUL . MN]
The 2017 CCHL Draft has completed,
and the Minnesota Norsemen leave Halifax with twenty new prospects to add to an
already immense pool.
“Like
every draft, we’re thorough in our analysis and pick with a purpose,” said
General Manager Blake Wendt. “We take pride in how we approach this process.
Starts probably early fall when you get those initial eligible names. Some you
have been aware of for much longer. But as an overall draft group, that’s when
we start laying the ground work for what we hope to accomplish in June/July for
the next year.”
This
year’s draft almost didn’t even happen for the Norsemen. Having traded away
most of their picks for prospects further along in their development. But
parlaying some dispensable assets and cash amassed a large horde for Wendt and
his Norsemen.
“We got
some really good quality for the picks we moved out,” said Wendt. “Obviously we
run the risk of being left out on the front porch when everyone else is inside partying.
But again, we got what we wanted out of trading those picks initially and still
managed to acquire many more and really got some high quality future assets in
the players we drafted.”
In
total, Minnesota used their twenty picks on seven forwards, ten defensemen and
three goaltenders. Amongst that group, they were all over the board
geographically, physically and even age.
The
Norsemen took twelve North Americans. Eight Americans and four Canadians. Of
the eight from the U.S., they kept to their normal script of keeping as much of
the homegrown talent in-state, with seven Minnesotans. Europe traditionally has
been a place not well mined for Wendt and his staff. But this year a total of
eight players were snagged from over the pond. Five Swedes, one Finn, one
Latvian and a Swiss.
“I
think that this draft gave us an opportunity to seek out different places where
we don’t normally go,” said Wendt. “This year the crop of first year talent
depth was probably not near as heavy as years past. While there was also ample,
older talent that maybe developed at a slower rate and have been overlooked. We
made it our focus to go after those type players.”
Age-wise,
Minnesota’s youngest player taken was goalie, Olle Eriksson Ek (18, 6/22/99).
The oldest being defenseman, Philip Holm (25, 12/8/91).
The
disparity in the Norsemen picks wasn’t just limited to birthdays. Goaltender,
Gilles Senn (6’5) stands a full eight inches taller than defenseman, Jacob
Bryson (5’9). Center, Scott Reedy and defenseman, Andreas Borgman (205 lbs) are
a full thirty five pounds heavier than left-winger, Noah Cates (170 lbs).
“Overall,
we don’t care so much about heights, weights and age. As long as you can skate
and be an asset to this team. We kept an open mind to bring in guys that fit
into the style of hockey we want to play. If you’re 5’9, from Honolulu, and
skate like you’re on air, you’ve got our attention. More than a 6’8 road cone
from Saskatoon.”
D Filip Westerlund (Frolunda, SHL)
F Stelio Mattheos (Brandon, WHL)
D Andreas Borgman (HV71, SHL)
F Scott Reedy (US Dev Team, USHL; Committed to the Univ of
Minnesota)
D Mikey Anderson (Waterloo, USHL; Committed to the Univ of
Minn-Duluth)
F Noah Cates (Stillwater [MN] High School; Committed to the Univ
of Minn-Duluth)
F Tanner Laczynski (The Ohio State Univ, NCAA)
G Olle Eriksson Ek (Frolunda J20, Swe-Jr)
D Jake Bischoff (Graduated from the Univ of Minnesota, NCAA)
D Josh Healey (early departure from The Ohio State Univ, NCAA)
D Calle Rosen (Vaxjo, SHL)
D Nick Perbix (Elk River [MN] High School; Committed to St Cloud
State Univ, NCAA)
G Matiss Kivlenieks (Sioux City, USHL)
D Philip Holm (Vaxjo, SHL)
F Cameron Hughes (Univ of Wisconsin, NCAA)
F Sebastian Repo (Tappara, SM-liiga)
D Jacob Bryson (Providence Univ, NCAA)
G Gilles Senn (HC Davos, SUI)
F Nick Swaney (Waterloo, USHL; Committed to Univ of Minn-Duluth)
#duNord
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